@article{cornoExploringVirtualReality2026,

title = {Exploring Virtual Reality for Body Image Assessment and Psychological Interventions in Individuals With Obesity: a Comprehensive Review},

author = {G. Corno and Á. Zamora and S. Bouchard and R. Baños and A. Baillot and J. Monthuy-Blanc},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105024457568?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1111/obr.70051},

issn = {14677881 (ISSN)},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-01},

journal = {Obesity Reviews},

volume = {27},

number = {4},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc},

abstract = {Introduction: Individuals living with obesity often experience body image (BI) disturbances, which can negatively affect their quality of life and treatment outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for enhancing psychological interventions, but no comprehensive review has specifically focused on VR-based studies addressing BI disturbances in this population. Methods: This comprehensive review examined studies utilizing VR for the assessment and treatment of BI disturbances in individuals with obesity. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Studies were categorized into three groups: (i) VR in psychological interventions for individuals with obesity, (ii) VR interventions following metabolic and bariatric surgery, and (iii) VR-based full-body illusion experiments. The primary clinical application was experiential cognitive therapy, which demonstrated greater efficacy in reducing negative BI compared with standard cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments. Studies involving post-metabolic and bariatric surgery adults also supported VR's efficacy in reducing BI dissatisfaction, though long-term benefits were inconsistent. Full-body illusion experiments suggested that VR can help modify distorted body perceptions. However, most studies were conducted by the same research group, focused exclusively on women, and were limited to specific geographical regions, primarily Italy. Conclusion: While preliminary results suggest that VR is a promising tool for treating BI disturbances in individuals with obesity, the field remains under-researched. Notably, no studies have explored VR's potential as an assessment tool in this population. Future studies should include more diverse populations, investigate long-term outcomes, and explore potential barriers to clinical implementation. © 2025 The Author(s). Obesity Reviews published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of World Obesity Federation.},

keywords = {adult, Anxiety disorder, Assertiveness, Bariatric Surgery, body dysmorphic disorder, body image, body image assessment, body image avoidance questionnaire, body image disturbances, body satisfaction scale, bulimia, Clinical research, cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, Depression, electroconvulsive therapy, exercise, feeding behavior, female, follow up, gastric banding, geography, group therapy, human, Humans, Italy, low calorie diet, male, obesity, overnutrition, physical activity, procedures, psychology, psychotherapy, quality of life, review, social background, systematic review, Therapy, Three-Factor-Eating-Questionnaire, training, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{klinger_virtual_2005,

title = {Virtual reality therapy versus cognitive behavior therapy for social phobia: A preliminary controlled study},

author = {E. Klinger and S. Bouchard and P. Légeron and S. Roy and F. Lauer and I. Chemin and P. Nugues},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-14644388092&doi=10.1089%2fcpb.2005.8.76&partnerID=40&md5=d1f12e0841a740be314b8154a6c8e5b6},

doi = {10.1089/cpb.2005.8.76},

issn = {10949313},

year  = {2005},

date = {2005-01-01},

journal = {Cyberpsychology and Behavior},

volume = {8},

number = {1},

pages = {76–88},

abstract = {Social phobia is one of the most frequent mental disorders and is accessible to two forms of scientifically validated treatments: anti-depressant drugs and cognitive behavior therapies (CBT). In this last case, graded exposure to feared social situations is one of the fundamental therapeutic ingredients. Virtual reality technologies are an interesting alternative to the standard exposure in social phobia, especially since studies have shown its usefulness for the fear of public speaking. This paper reports a preliminary study in which a virtual reality therapy (VRT), based on exposure to virtual environments, was used to treat social phobia. The sample consisted of 36 participants diagnosed with social phobia assigned to either VRT or a group-CBT (control condition). The virtual environments used in the treatment recreate four situations dealing with social anxiety: performance, intimacy, scrutiny, and assertiveness. With the help of the therapist, the patient learns adapted cognitions and behaviors in order to reduce anxiety in the corresponding real situations. Both treatments lasted 12 weeks, and sessions were delivered according to a treatment manual. Results showed statistically and clinically significant improvement in both conditions. The effect-sizes comparing the efficacy of VRT to the control traditional group-CBT revealed that the differences between the two treatments are trivial. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.},

keywords = {Adaptation, adult, article, Assertiveness, behavior therapy, clinical article, cognition, cognitive therapy, Fear, female, human, Humans, intermethod comparison, Internet, intimacy, male, mental disease, Phobic Disorders, Psychological, social adaptation, social phobia, User-Computer Interface, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{klingerVirtualRealityTherapy2005,

title = {Virtual reality therapy versus cognitive behavior therapy for social phobia: A preliminary controlled study},

author = {E. Klinger and S. Bouchard and P. Légeron and S. Roy and F. Lauer and I. Chemin and P. Nugues},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-14644388092&doi=10.1089%2fcpb.2005.8.76&partnerID=40&md5=d1f12e0841a740be314b8154a6c8e5b6},

doi = {10.1089/cpb.2005.8.76},

issn = {10949313},

year  = {2005},

date = {2005-01-01},

journal = {Cyberpsychology and Behavior},

volume = {8},

number = {1},

pages = {76–88},

abstract = {Social phobia is one of the most frequent mental disorders and is accessible to two forms of scientifically validated treatments: anti-depressant drugs and cognitive behavior therapies (CBT). In this last case, graded exposure to feared social situations is one of the fundamental therapeutic ingredients. Virtual reality technologies are an interesting alternative to the standard exposure in social phobia, especially since studies have shown its usefulness for the fear of public speaking. This paper reports a preliminary study in which a virtual reality therapy (VRT), based on exposure to virtual environments, was used to treat social phobia. The sample consisted of 36 participants diagnosed with social phobia assigned to either VRT or a group-CBT (control condition). The virtual environments used in the treatment recreate four situations dealing with social anxiety: performance, intimacy, scrutiny, and assertiveness. With the help of the therapist, the patient learns adapted cognitions and behaviors in order to reduce anxiety in the corresponding real situations. Both treatments lasted 12 weeks, and sessions were delivered according to a treatment manual. Results showed statistically and clinically significant improvement in both conditions. The effect-sizes comparing the efficacy of VRT to the control traditional group-CBT revealed that the differences between the two treatments are trivial. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.},

keywords = {Adaptation, adult, article, Assertiveness, behavior therapy, clinical article, cognition, cognitive therapy, Fear, female, human, Humans, intermethod comparison, Internet, intimacy, male, mental disease, Phobic Disorders, Psychological, social adaptation, social phobia, User-Computer Interface, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}